My review of Ellington French Touch, the new album by Laurent Mignard and the Duke Orchestra (of Paris), is now online at PopMatters.com:
Duke Ellington dashed off a truckload of music in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, much more than was viable for contemporary commercial release. Despite numerous CD releases drawn posthumously from his ‘stockpile’, the Ellington oeuvre seems near inexhaustible. Ellington French Touch, a new concert recording by the formidable Duke Orchestra of Paris led by Laurent Mignard, collects Ellington’s French-inspired compositions, which conveniently include a wealth of unheard music. The album brings into focus the triumphant late period of jazz’s greatest composer.
Also relevant is my two part PopMatters feature from last year, Duke Ellington And Paris. Part 1: Busy Winters and Part II: An Interview with Laurent Mignard.
Great work Matthew, an interesting (though short) review. Despite the justified criticism for Paris Blues, the soundtrack is still well worth a listen. The film had the potential to be a true classic but the makers sold out for the sake of conventionality. The Rykodisc soundtrack reissue has more of Ellington’s significant music from the film, like ‘Wild Man Moore’. And I loved ‘Autumnal Suite.’ Still, aside from the American spelling of ‘archaeological’, good review.
Thanks for stopping by.
Anytime